Tour de Poway - October 4th 2009

The 24th Annual Tour de Poway Fun Bike Ride has grown to be one of the largest fun ride cycling events in southern California drawing over 2,000 participants. All the rides start and finish in Poway the "City in the country" and travel through scenic north county San Diego. The 100, 62 and 50 mile courses begin with a climb up the Poway road grade (8% for 3 miles) followed by a fantastic 7 mile downhill. The century route includes a ride down the coast before heading back to Poway. The 26 and 18 mile courses provide both a fun and enjoyable experience for the weekend cyclists. After cyclists return to Old Poway park, they will have the option to relax, listen music and visit the booths at the health & fitness expo. The Tour de Poway is hosted by the Kiwanis club of Poway and portions of the proceeds are donated to several north San Diego county Kiwanis clubs. More information can be found here.

SRAM Issues Voluntary Recall for 10-Speed Chain Power Locks

SRAM, in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a voluntary recall of the SRAM 10-Speed Chain Powerlock connector links. They discovered the Powerlock connector plate could crack during installation or early use, causing loss of bicycle control and possible injury. For this reason, SRAM is recalling and replacing all affected SRAM 10-Speed Chain Powerlock connector links.

To learn more about the recall and obtain a return authorization number and replacement Power Lock connector links, please visit the link below. If you have further questions regarding this recall, please call the SRAM Dealer Service line at 1-800-2928.

SRAM Voluntary Recall Notice (PDF)

Fixed in Paris

Gorilla in Paris from Gorilla Bicycles on Vimeo.

Great bike for the money!

The Element 10 provides the best attributes in aggressive XC riding; light weight aluminum frame with carbon seatstays, 100mm of plush suspension travel and smooth shifting Shimano components.

The rear suspension features the 3DLink™ which is a triangular geometry ideally suited for aggressive cross-country riding. Since the 3DLink™ design does not rely on the shock as a structural member of the frame, it is incredibly stiff laterally, creating a bike that tracks straight and loses nothing to flex. Carbon fiber seat stays keep the rear of the bike nimble and light.

Were selling this bike for $600.00 off of the SRP. Was $1999.99 BikeBling special price $1399.99.

Click here for more details and 'buy it now' options.

Pre-order the most anticipated 29er frameset ever!

The Foes Racing 2010 2:1 b29 Bomber an all hand fabricated Foes Racing 29” Wheel Ready Frameset equipped with an all hand-made Curnutt XTD Air rear shock. Each framed is hand welded by Brent Foes himself.

Orders placed before Interbike will be placed at a $2999 MSRP. After Interbike the price of this coveted frameset leaps to $3300 MSRP

Orders placed before Interbike will be fabricated by Brent Foes at the Foes Fabrications facility in Pasadena, CA during October and November for December delivery.

If you want this frameset before the first of the year this is the only way to get it. Orders placed after Interbike will be at the higher MSRP and delivered after January 1^st.

Custom Colors are available on Pre-Orders, Raw frames are also available and, of course, the Foes Team colors of Race Red or Stallion Black are standard.

Foes Handcrafted Race Bikes can be found at BikeBling.com

Look 566 Road Bike Action Review

With their brand awareness among high-end cyclists secured, for 2009 Look decided to aim their technology and cutting-edge design traits at a more entry-level cyclist. Enter the 566 Origin. Not cheap, but the bike is definitely less expensive than the racier models that cost about two thousand dollars more. The cost savings are quick to come by, especially since this model comes out of Asia and not the Look factory in France. With its shorter top tube and taller head tube, the 566 differs from the race bikes with its more upright positioning. As you expect from a stylish company like Look, there’s more to the eye of the 566 than just round tubes. The compact frame has a distinct kink in the top tube (a trait shared with their radical 596 TT bike) and a shapely rear triangle that is intended to be both stylish and functional by allowing some designed-in resiliency.



THE PARTS
Among mid-priced bikes, Shimano Ultegra is probably the most widely spec’d component group. Consistent, light-action shifting, good brakes and excellent durability—what more could you ask for? The Campagnolo-made Fulcrum wheels, Hutchinson tires and Selle San Marco saddle add some Euro flair.

THE VERDICT
As much as it loved to be railed around fast corners, the 566 was a little hesitant to make sharp apex turns. None of the test riders noticed any added comfort due to the shaped chain and seatstays, but it was definitely stiff enough from head to toe to satisfy a budding sprinter. Tour de France legacy notwithstanding, the Look 566 is not a Tour de France race bike. But it wasn’t designed to be. Although the ride quality was a bit on the flat side to be a top notch, responsive race bike, the 566 is definitely capable of raising any recreational level rider’s game. For anyone looking to own a piece of vaunted French cycling heritage at sizable cost savings, the 566 is it.

FINAL WORD The 566 will raise any recreational rider’s game and add a dose of Tour de France flare to your local ride.
PRICE: $3199 ($1999 frame)
WEIGHT: 16.7 pounds
INFO: http://www.lookcycle-usa.com/
BONUS POINTS: Fulcrum wheels, stylish rear triangle, solid in sprints, Selle San Marco saddle.

AVAILABLE NOW AT BIKEBLING.COM $2999.99

Reaching out far and wide

We have friends everywhere nowadays. Our good buddy Paul sent this photo from Alaska. Wish I was there!

At the shop we're clearing out our remainder 2009 Fox forx. We still have a decent selection to choose from, but snap to it because they are moving fast!

Sweet deal...

These are going fast! Look's fine 986 X9 Origin Carbon XC Race bike on sale at Bike Bling. We have the complete bike available for $2999.99... The best deal on the web right now. Everyone else is listing them at $3799.99. We have a bunch in stock and ready to ship. A 22.3lb carbon XC race bike for 2999? The guys in the shop are drooling... Who needs to pay bills? I need a new bike!

Seriously, We have good supply on the full size run, but they are already going fast. Once they're gone they're gone. Click here to get one for yourself today. Even I want one even though I don't need another bike. Desire is a fabulous thing!

BikeBling would like to remember those who have served and thank those who our presently serving our great nation. Thank you.

We're kicking off summer in a big way. For the next ten days we have marked down some of this seasons hottest gear! Great deals can be found throughout the site. Grab the deals while you can as some of these deals will not be available after the end of the month.

New breed of DH race bike. Introducing the Intense 951 FRO

The 951 FRO has been designed around the next generation VPP2 suspension platform. It features travel in the range of 8-8.5in, a 83mm-wide bottom bracket, One Point Five head tube and ISCG 05 guide mount. The frame is constructed from Easton EA6 tubing and custom CNC machined 6061 aluminum bits (linkage and rear dropouts). A medium frame with Fox DHX RC4 shock is said to weigh 9.5lb. Complete bike as shown is said to weigh in at 37lbs!

First in production will be the FRO (For Racing Only) model with monocoque down tube and G3 dropouts, allowing the rider to change wheelbase, head angle and bottom bracket height depending on track conditions. Plans are in the works for a less expensive model with a traditional down tube and fixed dropouts is in the production pipeline. They will be available in 3 sizes and in various color options YTBD.

MSRP is $2760 for the FRO with Fox RC4 shock, $2420 for the production version with Fox RC2

Give us a call for production updates and availability @ 1-800-BIKEPRO or visit BikeBling.com


Making the 951 from jeff steber on Vimeo.

Big Boy Toys

If you thought you were too tall to fit onto a nice high-end mountain bike and didn't want to spend the big dollars for a custom fit bike frame. Think again.

This 25" Ventana El Capitan 29er went out to a customer that is 6'-7" tall. 29ers are the logical choice when shopping for a mountain bike that will fit taller individuals. You get all of the same benefits of a standard mountain bike plus the added advantage of 29" wheels which roll over obstacles better than a 26" wheel ever will.

Ventana is a premiere manufacturer of solid, handcrafted, made in the USA mountain bikes. For the past 21 years, they have building some of the best bikes you can buy. The Ventana El Capitan offers up 4" of plush rear wheel travel. The "X" frame design adds much needed lateral rigidity while giving a generous amount of standover height. The larger El Capitan's come with quad bearings at the rocker and bottom bracket pivots which increases the durability while reducing the maintenance frequency of the pivot points.

The El Capitan and the El Rey are available in 17", 19", 21", 23" & 25" frame sizes. Visit here for more details. Call us if you want more information or if you'd like a quote on a new dream ride. 1-800-BIKEPRO.

Previewing the capabilities of the New V.I.O. POV 1.5

The new V.I.O. POV 1.5 is a fully integrated point-of-view (POV) video system that's waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant. The system includes a mountable camera head, built-in video recorder, wireless remote and software for managing your point-of-view videos.

NEW FEATURES: Max 8GB SDHC, 4GB SDHC card provided, tethered head, better mounting solutions, tutorials on CD

High-quality wearable video camera records with 720 x 480 resolution at 30fps. Ergonomic user interface design enables single-handed operation and hands-free video capture. Modular mounting system provides camera stability while attached to helmets or other high impact gear. Components are shock-resistant, water-resistant and dustproof for use in the most hazardous environments. Bulletproof high quality action video everytime you require it!

The movie below was shot using a V.I.O. POV camera. Note the overall quality of the images both indoors and outdoors using natural lighting. The unit includes everything you need to start shooting professional quality video right out of the box...

Downhill mountain biking in Switzerland with Big Mountain from big mountain on Vimeo.

BikeBling.com is an authorized V.I.O. Dealer. We can help you with any questions you might have. Call us at 1-800-BIKEPRO if you have questions regarding the line of V.I.O. Point Of View cameras and accessories.

Tour of California - Bike Bling Expo Slideshow

The final stage of the Amgen Tour of California was a great success. With crowds in excess of 25k, phenomenal support coming from the tour's sponsors. Escondido laid witness to a truly world class event. Levi Leipheimer and Team Astana took the overall race from what turned out to be the hardest stage of the race as far as shear elevation/miles ridden. Palomar mountain is always a challenge whether you're riding a road bike up East Grade or pedaling your way up Nate Harrison Grade on your mountain bike. You're going to feel it! We thank all of the riders in this year's tour. It's definitely North America's premiere stage race.

The Bike Bling Expo was a great success. Thanks go out to everyone that stopped by to see what been up to since we opened our doors last May. The Expo storefront had many asking if this was our new location? We're still located at our 413 West 5th Ave location. We moved everything back to the shop that same evening. A special thanks to all of our friends and family that have been there for us throughout this 10 month journey.

Thank you,

From everyone on the Bike Bling team!

How great bikes are born

Do Not Watch The Ark from jeff steber on Vimeo.

BikeBling.com in the news

Amgen Tour of California Comes to Escondido

Escondido will play host to the finale of Amgen's Tour of California. Sunday February 22nd is the final stage of North America's greatest stage race. Stage 8 will start in Rancho Bernardo, California and finish in Escondido, California. The finish line is set in the heart of Escondido at the intersection of Broadway and Grand Avenue. Estimated finish times are for a 3:30pm for the first racers arrival. This could be the largest crowd of spectators in the history of Escondido. The tour organizers have estimated between 25 thousand to 40 thousand people will be in town for the event. You can read more about the official tour times for the race and the expo here.

"The Amgen Tour of California brings together the world's top professional teams to compete over a nine-day, 800 mile race through California. Watch Lance Armstrong race across the finish line during the San Diego North stage from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido."

Bike Bling will be in the thick of it as we have secured a space in the Expo on Grand Ave. Make sure to stop by Bike Bling's Expo Storefront at 224 East Grand Avenue and check out the incredible deals we'll have going on both Saturday and Sunday. The shop will be open too. So make sure to visit our Pro Shop located at 413 W 5th Ave, Escondido California 92025 (Just a few blocks from the main event).

Probably the best way to attend the event would be by bicycle. Parking downtown is limited and will fill up fast. At the Bike Bling Expo Storefront, the Downtown Business Association will be hosting a bike valet service at 224 East Grand Avenue. So find parking at your convenience, ride your bike to the event and store your bike securely with the good folks at the bike valet. Look for the signs directing you to the bike valet.

Public Transportation

The Sprinter light rail runs east to west between Oceanside and Escondido. The Escondido Transit Center is less than a mile from Downtown Escondido and the race finish.

On race day Sprinter trains will run every 30 minutes for westbound trips between 9:33 a.m. and 5:33 p.m. and for eastbound trips between 10:33 a.m. and 6:33 p.m., with hourly service before and after these times, in the mornings and evenings.

For schedules, fares, and more information, visit North County Transit District.

If you're visiting from out of town and want to get a bike ride in? Escondido has some of the best mountain and road cycling found anywhere. Bike Bling will be renting high end road and mountain bikes. Please check in with us as soon as possible to secure a bike for the event weekend. Want to know where the best rides are? We can point you in the right direction if you're going to ride while you're in town.

So be sure to stop by the Bike Bling Expo (at 224 East Grand Avenue) during your visit. We're having a Big Sale with a ton of this season's hottest cycling gear and bicycles on sale at the event. The Salebration Sale runs through the end of February. Visit BikeBling.com and start saving today!

If you have further questions about Bike Bling at the event please call us at 760-317-5450.

Listed below is some useful resource links:

Amgen Tour Info - Complete tour info
Lifestyle Festival - Information and times
San Diego Stage 8 Info - Route and stage information
San Diego North - Hotels, activities and more info
BikeBling.com - Bicycle sales, service, rentals and ride information
The tour on Versus - TV race coverage schedule (all times are EST)
Tour Stage Info - Stage information & estimated finish times

Niner's 2009 R.I.P. 9 News

Here's the latest information received from Niner on the progress of the new RIP9...

The 2009 Rip 9 is coming down the pipe. Steve put some final touches on the frame, including a newly shaped top tube and removal of the pre-production gusset and support brace on the top tube (the frames we had at Interbike were still pre-production samples).




















Through final testing and reshaping, the frame will be even stronger, cleaner and lighter than those shown at Interbike. Additionally, production frame welding will be neater.

On the color option front we have great news - the frame will be available in RAW! We've replaced the moondust grey with a raw finish to go with the ano black and milk dud ano for '09.

This first run will be limited so find your favorite Niner dealer to set up a deposit/pre-order.

FEATURES:

· Taper steerer tube technology
· Hydroformed top and downtubes
· Over 10 forged or extruded parts
· FEA and mechanical stress tested
· Real-world tested
· CVA™ Suspension technology
· 4.5" of travel, designed around 120mm travel forks

At Bike Bling we're taking pre-orders on the 2009 RIP9. The first batch will sell out fast, so if you're having thoughts on building one up this spring? Call us and we'll reserve one for you.

We still have some of the remaining 2008 JET9 frames at ridiculously low prices starting at $1299.00. They are selling fast. This is a great opportunity to join the Niner revolution and save. Click here for details.

Intense Dirt Demo Day at Daley Ranch 1.17.09

Intense has scheduled a dirt demo at the Daley Ranch on Saturday Jan, 17th 2009 8am- 2pm. They will be meeting at the main parking lot at Daley Ranch at the LaHonda entrance to the park.

Word has it they will have 25 bikes up there for anyone to demo. Ride the new 2009 Tracer in an enviroment that will allow you to get a "real feel" for the bike in local terrain. Bring your helmet, pedals and shoes and leave the rest to the guys at Intense.

This is a guaranteed great time. The weather is going to optimal and the venue will entertain all comers.

Stop by Bike Bling before or after the event and check out the latest Intense bikes and frames we have for sale. We have some great deals on complete bikes this month!

Check out the write-up from local legend Mountain Bike Bill

Calling North County Mountain Bikers...

North County Mountain Bikers:
Here's what's happening around North County

PENASQUITAS CANYON - TUNNEL TRAIL:
If you've been following the status on the Del Mar Mesa Resource
Management Plan draft, you know that the City of San Diego's Open Space Division has told us the Closure of Deer Canyon is temporary while they wait for the California Department of Fish & Game and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to review the input and materials they received at the September, 2008 public hearing (and subsequent private government meetings) in regard to our suggestions that over 65% of the longstanding, migrant-worker created trails be closed and re-vegetated while a modicum of the most valued, least impactive trails be adopted into the Open Space Trails System as these pre-existing trails become part of the City's property.

The Agencies delivered their letter on February 27th, and I have
uploaded a copy of it to the Files section on the MTC's Yahoo site.

The letter is not good news. In simple summary, the agencies (which have no people on the ground at all, as anyone in these areas can attest after seeing decade(s) of 4x4 activity on the lands these agencies "manage") recommend that the entire area be closed, subject to the City's negotiation with SDG&E to allow use of the utility road only, and then subsequently pending a review of other trails that will begin in late 2009 and is predicated on the fencing, closure and enforcement of trail closures throughout the entirety of Deer Canyon. The agencies do recommend that equestrian trails be located in McGonigle Canyon and that an "equestrian use plan" for the Del Mar Mesa should be created.

The agencies also report that they, " have recently been made aware by City staff and the public that unauthorized trails have been apparently created, mainly by and for mountain bikers, throughout the Del Mar Mesa Preserve and to a lesser extent in the Carmel Mountain Preserve." They continue, "...illegal creation and current high density of bike trails is incompatible with the main purpose of the Preserves (i.e. biological preservation) and must be curtailed and corrected". You might find these assertions fly in the face with the known facts, the pubic record and your own personal knowledge, and you might find them suspiciously consistent with the misinformation published and professed by particular anti-access, anti-environmental groups known to approve the bulldozing of habitat and trails on the Del Mar Mesa. Draw your own conclusions but, note also that the City staff have either been wrongly quoted by these agencies, or they also perpetrated the same misinformation they know to be erroneous and misleading.

The second page of the agency letter describes a series of six tasks or goals that they have nothing to do with, but would like the City Open Space Division to implement. Give it a good look and ask yourself whether the agencies have just provide a recipe for failure by land managers that require your participation and support for reasonable policies and responsible management of the lands we own as the public.

Read the document and post your thoughts for our coordinated response.

Erik Basil
Multiuse Trails Coalition
____________________ ###____________________

CARLSBAD:
Trail work at La Costa on Jan 10 at 8 a.m. -Intersection of Camino Junipero and Corte Romero, right off of Rancho Santa Fe in La Costa


URGENT: The City of Carlsbad is embarking on a multi-year project called "Envision Carlsbad." The City is reaching out to the community to learn what is most important to its citizens. Carlsbad mountain bikers need to be involved in this process. First meeting is Wednesday, January 14 at 6pm, room 173, City of Carlsbad Faraday Center. Please contact me and recruit fellow Carlsbad mountain bikers to pitch in. This could be a pivotal opportunity to maintain trail access.

There will be an SDMBA sponsored trail day at Calavera on March 8. More details to follow.

If you know who is building illegal trails in Calavera (or anywhere else for that matter), tell them to knock it off! It's going to erode our credibility and cost us trails in the long run if they keep it up.

OCEANSIDE:
The City of Oceanside's Bicycle Committee has embraced the "Bicycle Skills Park" concept and has identified a 4 acre parcel near I-5 that could accommodate a pump track, jump park, progressive skills area, BMX track, and even some XC trails. Please contact me if you are interested in working on this project.

Erik Trogden
North County Coastal Liaison
SDMBA

We have some killer deals right now...